Railways’ left-handed opener Pratham Singh has earned a well-deserved spot in the India-A Duleep Trophy squad after his impressive performances in the ongoing Buchi Babu tournament. The 32-year-old batsman’s inclusion comes at a time when several top players are unavailable for the second round due to their national call-up.
Shubman Gill, Dhruv Jurel, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, and Akash Deep will be representing India in the first Test against Bangladesh, starting on September 19th in Chennai. This opportunity for Pratham, currently with the India-A squad in Anantapur, is a testament to his consistent run of scores.
“It’s a validation for the runs I’ve been scoring. I’m looking forward to doing well for the team, learning from the experience, and carrying this momentum forward for my Railways team,” Pratham shared over the phone on Monday. His confidence is well-founded, having amassed 130 runs against Gujarat and 143 runs against TNCA President’s XI in the Buchi Babu tournament. His recent form is a continuation of his strong performance in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy, where he led the scoring charts for Railways with 530 runs from 12 innings, averaging a commendable 48.18.
Furthermore, in his last Ranji match in February, Pratham showcased his prowess by scoring an unbeaten 169 runs to secure a historic victory for his team against Tripura. This victory involved a record-breaking successful chase of 378 runs for five wickets, solidifying his position as a key player in Railways’ success.
Reflecting on his Buchi Babu experience, Pratham highlighted its significance as preparation for the four-day format, crucial for both the upcoming domestic season and the Duleep Trophy. “It was a good preparation because all the top cricketers from across the country played the tournament with full intensity. I scored some runs and enjoyed the experience,” he added.
Pratham expressed his eagerness to learn from Mayank Agarwal, who will lead the India-A side in the absence of Shubman Gill. “Mayank is someone I’ve looked up to since he’s an opener, and he’s very intense. I’m sure I’ll learn a lot from him,” he said.
Alongside Pratham, the India-A squad welcomes other talented players, including Vidarbha captain and wicketkeeper-batter Akshay Wadkar, 19-year-old Andhra batter Shaik Rasheed, Mumbai left-arm spinner Shams Mulani, and 20-year-old Uttar Pradesh medium-pacer Aaqib Khan. The Duleep Trophy promises to be a thrilling competition as these rising stars aim to showcase their skills and make a mark on the national stage.
